Notre Dame vs. Navy Odds
DUBLIN, Ireland (The Spread) – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will kickoff a busy Saturday of football as they take on Navy in Ireland.
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Notre Dame is coming off back-to-back 8-5 seasons under coach Brian Kelly. Navy was 5-7 last season after averaging 9 wins in their previous three seasons. This game is being billed as the Emerald Isle Classic in Aviva Stadium. Navy has actually won three of the last five meetings with Notre Dame.
Trends show that Notre Dame is just 2-9 against the spread in their last 11 games in September and 7-17-1 ATS in their last 25 games as a favorite of 10.5 points or more. Navy is 9-2 against the spread in its last 11 games as an underdog and 4-0 ATS in their last four games in September. These two have hit the over in 5 of their last 7 meetings.
Oddsmakers have made Notre Dame the favorite in this game, giving them a point spread of -15 points against Navy. The over/under for the contest has been set at 57 points (View Matchup). Notre Dame opened as a 14-point favorite against Navy. That line climbed up to 19 points in the early stages before dipping down to the current spread of 15 points.
Notre Dame returns 15 starters from the 2011 squad. The team will be breaking in a new quarterback in redshirt freshman Everett Golson. The Irish will be without starting tailback, Cierre Wood, who is suspended for the first two games of the year. Golson will have to look to his tight end, Tyler Eifert, often. Eifert was an All-American last season after catching 63 passes for 803 yards. Defensively, Notre Dame allowed 20.7 points and 345 yards per game last season, including 139 rushing yards per game. Notre Dame returns seven starters back on the front seven, which should help against the Navy rushing attack.
Navy has 14 starters back this year. The Midshipmen rely heavily on their rushing attack, averaging at least 281 yards per game over the last seven seasons. The Midshipmen lose their top two rushers from last season, including the quarterback. Trey Miller is expected to take over under center to lead this offense. Defensively, Navy struggled in 2011, allowing 28.9 points and 414 total yards per game. Navy was suspect against the run, allowing 187 yards per game on the ground, and the Midshipmen return just three starters of the front seven. The secondary should be strong, as all four starters are back.
In terms of Injuries, Notre Dame lost starting cornerback Lo Wood for the season to a knee injury and defensive end Justin Utupo is also suspended the first two games. Navy offensive lineman Chris Johnson and receiver Matt Aiken are both doubtful with knee injuries.
The Public Bets show that betters are split on this game. The wagers are 50-50 with Notre Dame getting point spread odds of -15 against Navy on Saturday.
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